Series - Speeches

0.5 cm of textual records

Series consists of records relating to various speeches that O'Neill-Karch presented throughout her time as the Principal of St. Michael's College and Woodsworth College, as well as a short time thereafter, post-retirement. Records include speech drafts, speech final copies, related correspondences, event programmes, and more. Specifically, items in series include:

• Spring Reunion (June 7, 1997). O'Neill-Karch replaced Principal Boyle. Annotated "Alphabet" speech, plus earlier draft.
• Letter from Bob Madden (June 9, 1997), thanking O'Neill-Karch for her talk.
• Orientation Convocation (September 2, 1997), plus programme.
• Fall Homecoming (November, 1997). O'Neill-Karch evoked memories from old issues of the Mike, related to Father Leland, Fred Flahiff, Robert Madden, and Richard Toporoski.
• Presentation of SMC Retirees (May 7, 1998): Harvey Kerpneck, Gino Matteo, Walter O'Grady, Francoise Khettry, Francois Desroches and Joe O'Connell, plus the invitation to the event.
• Letter from Bob Madden (June 8, 1998), thanking O'Neill-Karch for her talk (which seems to have disappeared).
• Two-page citation (O'Neill-Karch) for the installation of MN as a Fellow honoris causa of St. Michael's College (June 15, 1998)
• Manuscript note from MN to O'Neill-Karch (June 16, 1998), thanking for citation.
• Convocation for incoming students (September 8, 1998), replacing Principal Boyle.
  O'Neill-Karch encourages students to read.
• Retirement of Catherine Grise (April 11, 2001).
• "Le 19e siecle renaissant" colloquium (October 4, 2001).
• Installation address as WDW Principal (April 4, 2002).
• Senior's Reception (October 28, 2004). This is an annual event and this speech was the most memorable. O'Neill-Karch has shared the "peacock" joke with her husband Pierre who advised against telling it. She decided to go ahead anyway, and told her audience about Pierre's disapproval. Pierre then rushed to the front and whispered in her ear, much to the surprise of the seniors. She then told the joke. After they laughed, she asked them if they wanted to know what he had whispered. They, of course did. Since the joke involved a man having sex with a peacock, Pierre, the purist, insisted that it be a peahen. There was much laughter and that was the end of the drama.
• Convocation address, Simcoe Hall (June 20, 2007).
• Stepping Down as WDW Principal (June 28, 2007), with apologies to Gilbert & Sullivan.
• Tribute Dinner in honour of Rick Alway (June 11, 2008).
• Note from Rick Always (June 19, 2008), thanking O'Neill-Karch for her remarks.
• Retirement, French Dept. (April 20, 2009).

Items in series are arranged chronologically, maintaining original order of material as received by O'Neill-Karch.

• English

• French

Several items in series contain writing in French.